A big part of the game is slowly figuring out what combination of weapon and boons suit you best, and what combos you can struggle through but don’t really prefer. Then you start making the best of what you get.

I definitely wasn’t winning runs in a week. You’re trying to escape the afterlife, it’s going to be hard and grueling. I have over 100 runs and the last “zone” with the Satyrs still does me in more than I’d like. Of course, I also almost always take the risks for more rewards. The trick is that I still have fun each run regardless.

At some point I did some runs focused on specific types of meta currency to grind out certain tavern upgrades, or to push through specific character’s storylines by gifting them nectar. Don’t sleep on the meta-progression and all the “side stories”. It helps break up the repetition.

As you die, and die, and die some more you’ll build your own skills, unlock some more tools through meta-progression mechanics, and unlock more of the story (and stories) almost every run whether you win or lose.

As you gift characters nectar it can effect dialog in other places and even unlock some entirely new mechnics and options during your runs.

It might not be the game for you, but it’s also not made to be blazed through and then put down. Take your time with it. Go for the challenges rather than trying to just get to the end, because the real ending is a lot farther away than you realize. You do a run or two, unlock some new story. Unlock more story a few times and you unlock a new mechanic or a hint towards a bigger thing.

So take your time. Enjoy the journey. It’s more rewarding if you take the time to engage with things on your way, even if this whole escape thing might be temporary until you get out. You’re dying enough anyway, may as well make some friends. Chat up Sisyphus, and don’t forget Bouldy either. He’s a good listener. Take on Chaos’s challenges. Did you know she’s Nyx’s mom? Why don’t they talk about each other and why have you never seen Chaos come to visit? Try to mend the bad blood between Orpheus and Eurydice. Do you want a canon bi polycule? You can do that. Want to try and teach the nearly non-verbal fury your name? You can do that too. Best to make the best of this trying to escape and ending up back at the start thing.

So you beat Hades. Now what? He’ll be back before long, just like you are when you die. What do you think he’s going to do then? Just let you go because you killed him? You didn’t let your death stop you, why would he for his?

Beating the final boss multiple times is needed to get the ending, but it’s just another step in the path. It takes multiple wins and doing side stuff (that you’re hopefully getting through naturally just as you play) to get to “the epilogue”, and you unlock one new god for and entire new “tree” of boons after your first win.

And when it gets too annoying throwing yourself at it another time, take a break and come back to it later.